Ophthalmology
Vitreous Haemorrhage
Sudden floaters / vision loss; absent fundal red reflex; identify cause (PVD, retinal tear, diabetic retinopathy, trauma); urgent vitrectomy if not clearing.
Source: RCOphth
Step 1 of ~2
info
Recognise + Causes
Sudden floaters, smoke / cobwebs, vision loss; severity varies from minimal to total visual obscuration.
Examination: absent / poor red reflex; obscured fundoscopy; assess RAPD (afferent pathway).
Causes:
• Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) ± retinal tear — most common.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
• Retinal vein occlusion.
• Trauma.
• Macular degeneration (wet AMD with subretinal haemorrhage extending into vitreous).
• Sickle cell retinopathy.
• Anticoagulation (rarely primary).
Workup: USS B-scan if fundus not visible — rule out retinal detachment / mass; urgent ophthalmology.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Prednisolone (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) · Corticosteroid (systemic — SSNHL treatment)
- Tranexamic Acid (Surgical / Trauma Haemorrhage) · Antifibrinolytic (Haemostatic)
- Tranexamic Acid (ICU/Trauma/Surgical) · Antifibrinolytic
- Sodium Hyaluronate 0.1% Eye Drops (Hylo-Forte) · Ocular lubricant (viscous eye drop — dry eye disease)
- Finerenone · Non-Steroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (Diabetic CKD)
- Atrasentan · Selective Endothelin-A Receptor Antagonist (Diabetic Nephropathy)
Pathways
- Acute Red Eye / Vision Loss Screen · RCOphth 2020; NICE CKS
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension · ABN; consensus 2018
- Acute Red Eye Assessment · RCOphth / AAO
- Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma · RCOphth / EGS Guidelines
- Retinal Detachment · RCOphth Guidelines / EURETINA
- Diabetic Retinopathy — Screening and Management · NICE NG28 2016 / NHS DES Programme
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.